Editing

It is possible to rebuild manually edited (with native SketchUp tools) objects and to change parameters of selected objects, which were previously created using LSS Arch extension tools.

Labeling, Listing

Extension allows to attach text labels with identification information in a batch manner and generate lists (reports) with information about selected objects, which were created using LSS Arch extension tools. Generated reports can be saved to an HTML or CSV files.

Openings can follow wall's surface (i.e. it is possible to insert corner openings or openings into a curved wall)

Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations (like "+", "-", "*", "/") over values entered using VCB, while hovering over adjustment points (i.e. it is possible for example to offset an opening 300mm left or right just by typing "+300" or "-300" and hitting Enter while hovering over opening's insertion point)

Chamfer/fillet capabilities

Getting Started

Enable LSS Arch Toolbar

open 'Toolbars' dialog by choosing SketchUp Main Menu>>View>>Toolbars...

Hello Adam,
First of all thanks for purchasing of a full version! Current version is not able to insert corner openings unfortunately. As a workaround it is still possible to model corner openings manually: draw separate low walls below and above of an opening, then draw glazing using glazed curtain wall of a "Contour" tool.
Here is a small tutorial video: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bwmt-Rax8alUZWJFeGJ3cUhfanM
I hope I'll come up with more reliable solution for corner openings, but I'm not sure how much time it may take.

Hello George,
Many thanks for a kind feedback!
Since version 1.5.6 LSS Arch has an option called "Explode reveals of openings" and it was added in order for compatibility with Skalp. Effect of this option can be seen at the beginning of this small demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo8Ri_aRqNk
When this option is enabled, Skalp successfully detects door and window openings inside walls modeled using LSS Arch.
In version 1.6 simple uniform section fill feature was added to LSS Arch itself: https://youtu.be/a0ecWGoRcoA?t=15m22s

I assume you are interested in patterned section fills so you may have in mind that it could be great to specify somehow fill pattern right in wall/slab/column/etc settings in LSS Arch so Skalp could use this information during section fill generation/refresh. I don't know how such scenario can be implemented at the moment (implementation of such scenario definitely requires intense contacts with Skalp authors). Such feature can be implemented somehow in theory I think, not sure if I'll be able to implement such functionality anytime soon as well as multilayered walls/slabs (another feature requested not long ago).

Thanks for the prompt reply Kirill.
Forgive me if I don't yet understand the plugin's capabilities. I am the business manager, not one of the Architects here, but we are exploring using Sketchup and Layout as a complete solution, instead of Revit or Archicad.
It is possible that LSS Arch could be a key piece in enabling this.

The key is to be able to efficiently generate 2d drawings for the builder out of Layout.
This requires that we are able to use conventional graphics styles to communicate things such as wall types in the 2d drawings. It is not sufficient to refer to a wall schedule based on a legend of materials.
So to take one case, it is necessary to show in a 2d section that a wall has a brick, a cavity and a stud wall construction. The brick is shown with one type of hatch, and the stud wall without hatching.
So this means:
- Ability to use Skalp's custom hatching of objects. With regard to your assumption, I do not see it is necessary for any additional technical functionality for fills that are specified in LSS to be communicated to Skalp - only that LSS allows Skalp functionality (by object at least) to be used and does not clash with it.
OR
- Functionality within LSS Arch for custom hatching by object, making Skalp unnecessary in this regard.

This raises the issue that your wall tools make single layer parametric walls - if I am correct.
Perhaps a workaround is that we draw two LSS walls touching eachother, but then openings may not work properly?

Otherwise, it would seem to me that if you were able to make your tool build up to 3 wall objects at the same time, and for the user to be able to specify the gap between them, that would be perfect.
Otherwise, less attractively but perhaps still ok, the user could separately build each wall, and maybe that is a good workaround with current functionality?
In either case, your openings tool would have to penetrate all walls and be re-positionable.

This would unlock your plugin for a much bigger audience. I believe this is the important limiter that explains why your plugin is not more popular.
You should review Plusspec on a free trial - perhaps this will stimulate your thinking regarding walls and openings.

I would be willing to contribute monetarily to your effort. I'm not sure if we can do personal messages on this forum.

Also, have you tested Profile Builder together with LSS to see if there are any clashes?

One more idea:
Perhaps, if you were able to do custom fills within LSS, the desired result would be achieved by custom hatching functionality for sections that was intelligent enough to re-orientate itself to the direction of the wall, and mimic the wall layers. This might be easier technically, and would be good enough (if not better).
Actually Kirill, I will write a functional spec and send it to you if you are interested?
It would certainly avoid

I'm not yet confident enough to claim that current version of LSS Arch could be a key piece in a complete solution, which may fully substitute Revit or Archicad. Part of logic in LSS Arch related to preparation of 2D drawings is still in an infant state yet.
Some more details about combination of LSS Arch and Skalp: all objects modeled using LSS Arch tools are just groups of faces, so Skalp treats such objects as any other group of faces (like even modeled manually using native SU tools). The only difference is that any modification of LSS Arch object using LSS Arch tools causes erasing of an old group and creation of a new one. So if some custom fill pattern was associated in Skalp to some LSS Arch object, this association will be broken after any modification of such object. I assume that it should be possible to preserve/store such association somehow (by storing information about Skalp's custom fill pattern in LSS Arch object somehow). But I don't know yet what exactly should be added to LSS Arch logic to achieve this.
Yes walls (as well as slabs, slopes etc) in LSS Arch are just single layered polyhedrons bounded by faces without intermediate faces inside object's body. The idea to draw automatically several parallel walls with specified gap/offset is really interesting. Full version of LSS Arch has a contour tool, which allows to add walls as sub-objects, but unfortunately it doesn't allow to cut openings through sub-objects. Manual drawing of separate layers can be totally frustrating experience from user's point of view. So obviously some solution should be implemented in an extension to avoid manual drawing of separate layers.
I had similar idea about orientation of a hatch pattern according to a wall direction. And actually it feels like it's even easier to implement this idea in contrast to an automatic modeling of internal layers in 3D. The only thing, which stopped me from further thinking in this direction back then is our local drawing standard, which requires to preserve hatch direction regardless of object's orientation: http://ohranatruda.ru/ot_biblio/normativ/data_normativ/4/4578/x039.gif
Now after your comments I think this approach can be actually appropriate in some cases (especially in case if hatch pattern is designed to be oriented with wall direction http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L0M-uZT7U78/U8_LU1BZgBI/AAAAAAAAAKo/j63zkUqTEG... ).
I also have to mention about one limitation of SU and LO (not sure if everyone is aware of it): hatch patterns are raster images so in case if it is critical to have a vector hatch in 2D drawings, then it's necessary to look for some alternatives.
I haven't tested LSS Arch for conflicts with Profile Builder yet. I'll try to find some time to install Profile Builder to test.
You may send any suggestions or comments using G+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KirillBannov or gmail.

Hello Kirill B, I really love watching the videos of your software. Even if I didn't have the chance to try it yet, I really think it is wonderful. It's BIM. I have two questions for you:
1- is there a comprehensive manual I can see before buying?
2- as far as I'm concerned the biggest issue using sketchup as a professional tool for drawings is automated LABELING of walls, floors, doors and scheduling: will I be able to attach a label to doors? what about walls/floors according to their composition or finish materials? (differentiate a brick wall from drywall and from tiled or plastered etc.)
and then, is there a possibility to have multilayered walls (e.g. see a line for insulation or finish thickness)? This way I could relate them to a detail schedule with section (done separately). I think this would be a great great great improvement for SU users!

Hello,
First of all thanks for kind feedback and for your interest to LSS Arch project.
Yes there is a Help system (a set of html documents with description of all tools, commands and settings). It is also possible to open "Instructor" window in SketchUp to view Help system document related to currently active LSS Arch tool. Brief appearance of "Instructor" and "Help" can be seen at 10:43 of the introduction video: https://youtu.be/UzrN9Rt2uQM?t=10m43s
Speaking of opening labels: it is possible to attach labels to openings (doors and windows). The only difference is that opening objects are nested inside "host objects" (like walls, slabs, thick faces) in LSS Arch, so in order to label nested objects it is possible to select "host objects", then choose next nesting level within "Attach Labels" dialog and extension will label nested openings in that case. The only problem with labeling in LSS Arch in general is that there is not much control over label styling provided, because LSS Arch relies on SketchUp's native 2d text and its styling can be accessed only from SketchUp model's settings (it was a small disclaimer).
Unfortunately there is no ability to specify or represent graphically (on plan and/or section views) structural materials of LSS Arch objects as well as there is no ability to create multilayered elements (like multilayered walls or slabs). And it's highly unlikely that I'll be able to implement such functionality soon (especially multilayered walls and slabs). Multilayered elements require implementation of some logic to resolve joints between different multilayered objects somehow. Implementation of such logic may require some certain (significant I would say) amount of time. For now it is possible only to specify a name to any object (wall, slab, column etc) and a reference number, so the only way to differentiate walls or slabs by structural material for now is to code somehow material/composite structure into a name of an object.

thank you very much for your answer. i really admire your work. i use sketchup a lot and what you are doing is pure genius!
i understand the styling issue. at the moment for door labels (sizes and code) we are using dimensions inside the component, which actually works great.
i also understand that resolving joints is quite a challenge. i think it would already be great having the possibility to label all walls (or floors) 10 cm thick with the same name, all wall 20 cm thick with another and so on. sometimes it could happen some 10 cm walls will be called 'WL37' and some other 'WL38' and they could be labeled automatically without having to type the code wall by wall, and maybe with the possibility to change code name if necessary. that would be a good starting point!

The idea to use dimensions inside components is really interesting. I think I'll take a closer look at SketchUp Ruby API to find out maybe it is possible to insert dimensions in openings using Ruby code somehow.

Hello Daniel,
Yes it is possible to use any units for "Level Marks" tool. There is a brief explanation about how to change units of an existing level marks group in a demo-video at 08:17 https://youtu.be/10CSLo-84Sk?t=8m17s
It is possible to switch off forcing of meter units in a "Settings" dialog, then rebuild a group of level marks to match unit settings specified in SketchUp model's settings. Unfortunately there were no detailed explanations provided in extension's Help in regards to this situation, so explanations will be added in the next version. Thanks for pointing out.
When meter units forcing is turned off in global settings, then "Level Marks" tool should use currently active model's units during new level marks creation as well.

Hello,
First of all please take apologies for painful experiences. Uninstall of LSS Arch extension takes place the same way as for any other extension published on Extension Warehouse. In order to uninstall LSS Arch extension please perform steps described in the following article of SketchUp Knowledge Base: https://help.sketchup.com/en/article/3000264
In case if you encounter any problems during uninstall, feel free to contact Extension Warehouse support team using a contact form: http://help.sketchup.com/en/contact/customer-support

You may also remove extension files ("lss_arch.rbs" file and "lss_arch" folder) manually from SketchUp "Plugins" folder. But this way of removing is less safe, so common way of uninstall described in a mentioned article is a recommended one.

Hi Kirill B, am trying out you plugin for a potential purchase but it doesn't seem to be working properly with Skalp for sketchup. The openings don't seem to be recognized. is this something you would be willing to look into?

Hello Martin, I've downloaded and installed trial version of Skalp today to take a look and the reason why it doesn't detect LSS Arch openings is pretty clear to me, but I don't know how fast I may come up with a good solution of this problem. The solution requires some significant changes of LSS Arch logic, which involved in generation of "host objects" (objects, which may contain openings, i.e. walls, slabs, slopes, thick faces). However compatibility of LSS Arch with a popular extension like Skalp is something I would like to have so I will definitely try to find some way how implement it.

Thanks for your response. I can't believe this plugin isn't more famous than it is!!! its simply brilliant!!
Compatibility of you plugin with skalp would be a game changer for sketchup to be honest. I look forward to a solution.

Hello Martin, I would say that "game changer" is a huge claim for such an exotic "art house" piece of software like LSS Arch. Anyway I managed to implement a different logic for openings and "host entities", which allows Skalp to detect empty holes in SketchUp: https://youtu.be/Uo8Ri_aRqNk
Everything looks well in LayOut as well when rendering of a model is set to "Raster". When I switch to "Vector" or "Hybrid", then some extra lines appear over some of empty openings for some reason (it will take some more time to figure out why). I tested new logic successfully on some models I have, but finally decided to make it optional and even disabled by default (it is possible to enable it using extension's "Settings" dialog or for selected openings individually).
New version is submitted for a review, but as far as I know quality assurance team doesn't work on weekends, so I think it may be published not earlier than Monday.

Hello Kirill,
Thanks you very much for your efforts. I will definitely buy your plugin. The of the product coupled with your attention to user feed back have blown my mind. Its in deed a game changing piece of software, many architects have been looking to move their workflow entirely to sketchup and this plugin seems to have removed the last hurdle. Don't down play how significant it is.

It would probably also improve the user experience if after picking a tool and setting its properties, the dialogue box would disappear after hitting apply,leaving a clear screen for drawing with just the active tool highlighted in the tool bar or a marker in the cursor.

Hello Martin,
First of all thanks for kind feedback! I have to notice that after further testing of new version I've discovered some minor inconvenience in it in regards to openings after implementation of new logic: it is necessary to rebuild host object after erasing of an opening and some problems detected while making arrays of copies of openings. I'm fixing mentioned problems at the moment and I hope I'll submit updated version in the coming days.
Note that it is possible to minimize tool dialog manually by clicking at tool's icon located in upper left corner of a dialog: https://goo.gl/photos/6Tty7gEdrUFe9viA7 The screen is not completely clear unfortunately but more space becomes visible. Visibility of a tool dialog now strictly linked to a tool's state ("not visible" is the same thing from SketchUp's API point of view as "closed" and extension now deactivates corresponding tool when its dialog is "not visible").
And seems like I also have to explain the purpose of "Apply" button. Clicking of it results generation of actual geometry in an active model (or re-generation of geometry in case if some existing object is picked, while tool is active). So when some object is picked and some parameters were changed it is necessary to click "Apply" button to commit changes and regenerate picked object. The reason for this extra step (clicking of "Apply" button) is that it takes noticeable time for Ruby script to recreate actual geometry in an active model, but Ruby is able to generate transparent preview of uncommitted changes almost instantly. However I plan to add an option which will allow to enable actual regeneration of geometry right after single parameter changes in a tool dialog. It may be useful for simple objects like slab or slope for example.

Hello Martin,
I completely agree with your comments. Even alone, LSS ARCH is a game changer. I have been waiting,
as Kirill has suggested, until the Mac version became more mature and stable.
In the meantime, since last November, I have watched all the videos and read the documentation on the plugin. As you say, it is brilliant----and I have not even begun to plumb the possibiliites its tools provide.
For easily modelling buildings, quite something indeed.....!

(imagine......what we take for granted in other BIM hybrid programs like Vectorworks, etc we can now start to have in SU: locked levels when laying out walls in plan, PLUS 2D representations of windows and doors, and smooth, efficient wall connections. Editing floorplans now works as it was always meant to. Finally......:))

Hello David P,
I agree, if he did a presentation at an event like 3D base camp this plugin could really blowup!!!
It has strangely remained under the radar, am not sure why the sketchup people haven't pushed this more...

Hello,
After SU2016 went live all extension developers have been strongly recommended not to publish extensions, which use old encryption logic (which is implemented in SU2015 and older). So new version of LSS Arch compatible with SU2015 can be sent only directly to a licensed user if he or she still uses old version of SketchUp for some reason. So the latest version of LSS Arch compatible with SU2015 is 1.4.

Hi Kirill B,
i don't understand the usage of the "Add After/Before Nodal Point"button in the properties dialog. I had tried it for several times, but it don't make any sense. can you describe it for short ?

Hi Xian,
Mentioned options of a contour meta-object were reserved in order to control addition of extra nodal points to a contour. But for the final release of ver. 1.4 I decided that it's enough to use only a value of "Offset After/Before Node" attribute itself, i.e. extension adds extra nodal points if a corresponding attribute value is non-zero and doesn't add in case if a corresponding attribute is equal to zero. I'll remove "Add After/Before Nodal Point" attributes in the next update in order to avoid confusion, because after a couple of months of ver. 1.4 usage/tests I came to a conclusion that it is really enough to use only a value of "Offset After/Before Node" attribute. Thanks for mentioning that internal reserved attribute unintentionally became visible within Properties dialog.

Here is a screen-shot, which shows the result of "Enforce Radial Surface Normals" option enabling https://goo.gl/photos/MQyGweUWDtCcGmqz7
When this option is enabled, then sub-objects become vertically aligned to an r-vector from a point on a surface to a center of a spherical data set. So this option affects sub-objects with "Vertical Alignment" equal to "Align to surface" https://goo.gl/photos/FDHL5ed8Wh9CfRPB7
The name "Enforce Radial Surface Normals" is not a strict term of course, but I hoped it should be more or less clear from the context. Now it feels like maybe some extra explanations should be added to Help system.

When "Add Nodal Points" is set to "all" then extension adds intermediate nodal points of curved/divided segments as well. When option is set to "only nodal", then extension ignores intermediate nodal points and adds only main nodal points.https://goo.gl/photos/PW7sS7RYbeo5Li9s5

Thanks!
But I have tried several times, the result of "only nodal" is the same as "all". I weld an arc and a line just like your screen-shot for the picked curve, no matter whick one I choose, the extension adds intermediate nodal points and main nodal points.

The point is that intermediate nodal points may only present when arc/curve/divided segment type is present within a contour being edited (like on previous screenshot). Here is a new screenshot, which demonstrates effect of "only nodal" value: https://goo.gl/photos/XeYxW6p24NcnduVJ6
Note that intermediate nodal points of an arc segment are ignored in such case.
In other cases (when curved segments were traced one-by-one while drawing a contour manually, or maybe a face, which contains some curved parts was picked etc) the whole contour consists of single linear segments and all nodal points are main.

Thanks for your questions. All questions were relevant and related to some advanced "tuning", which is not described within extension's Help system, so other users may also benefit from questions you asked. Besides such deep exploration of extension's features helps to reveal bugs, so they can be fixed in future versions.

Hello David,
Thanks for kind words! Note that it should be possible to enable "Instructor" window right in SketchUp, which should display the same help content about currently active tool (it might be more comfortable).
I also have to admit that first version compatible with OSX requires further adaptation and fixes. For example I've been reported recently that wall tool crashes under OSX 10.11 when trying to rotate a wall using direct manipulation (this function works well under OSX 10.10 though). I hope to find out reasons and fix all discovered issues in the nearest minor update.

Hello Kirill
As I have written earlier, I am checking in to see how you might be getting closer to offering a MAC version of LSS Arch.
I have studied your videos and blog several times with great care, and it strikes me that your plugin for SU is very powerful indeed----and its uses for accelerating North American residential design on SU could be dramatic.

However, I need it on a MAC.......:)
Any update on your efforts in this regard would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
David

Hi David,
Thanks for kind words! The main technical problem, which prevented communication between extension and web-dialogs under OSX is almost solved (the solution I managed to implement is a bit ugly but it sort of works). Here are some screenshots which show that data successfully loaded from extension to various dialogs: https://goo.gl/photos/1KKYCSp69Kd8wTBQ7
However I'm not ready yet to offer a MAC version because I have to fix some other minor yet visible UI issues, which appeared during testing of LSS Arch on a MAC (such as for example incremental increase of dialog's height etc). I hope I will be able to submit updated version in two or three weeks or so and I plan to claim compatibility of a new version with MAC OS.
Sincerely,
Kirill

This is very good news. I will be watching here with a great deal of interest for when it becomes available.

To go further with what I have attempted to understand in your videos/blog, that I believe could be of great potential value to us users in your plugin:

1. The thick face tool. This might be used for such things as individual roof framing members, creating roof planes, floor slabs, etc. since its shape and edges can be edited rapidly without going into the group. Have I understood it's capabilities correctly?
2. The grid tool. This one is perhaps the most sophisticated yet, but will be the most difficult to fully grasp in regards to its parametric modelling possibilities. Huge.
3. The mesh tool is superb, right up there with Tom Tom's VERTEX tools, as well as Mr. Vali's site tools. Very nice.
4. The REBUILD tool. Very clever. If it works properly, it will make the seamless interaction between your parametric tools and the rest of the tools in SU viable.
5. The contour object tool, very like PROFILE BUILDER, yet with good differences, I am sure (PB is a magnificent tool. I have not seen anything as good in the big boys--Archicad, etc.).
6. The ability to use beams, etc. in the mesh tool for sidewalk curbs, etc.

I welcome any and all additional information you can provide to not only facilitate our understanding of the tools, but also to show us how to fully take advantage of the way you have programmed them for exponential modelling possibilities. As we know, the key to the value of any 3D modelling tool is its ability to parametricize a component, such as a window, door, roof, wall, etc. and then allow for fluid editing of the same. My hope is that there is this depth and possibility in your plugin.

Hi David,
I agree that there is a lack of details/tutorials, which demonstrates real usage samples, so here are some explanations:
1. Thick face was intentionally implemented first of all for creation of custom shaped walls like this one: https://goo.gl/photos/BtdyYfCz4eCtbXQp8https://goo.gl/photos/h7Nrxf3z9LbuRWGn6
It can be used for creation of floor slabs and roof planes as well, but the more convenient tool for floor slabs is "Slab" tool (because it is always strictly horizontal). More convenient tool for roof modelling is the slope tool: https://goo.gl/photos/frvVFYbk1Mui6i8S8
There are some reasons prefer slope tool over thick face tool for roof modelling
- it is possible to re-adjust slope angles: https://goo.gl/photos/eVFeoPyYcGf5wxhc8
- it is possible to magnet walls to slope objects: https://goo.gl/photos/WEMcfDNbkDD8bPdB8
2. The grid tool btw can be used for generation of roof framing: https://goo.gl/photos/1Y8eF9fjNEY8WhiW7
The good thing is that it is possible to re-adjust spacing between framing elements any time later and choose different types of beams along different framing directions: https://goo.gl/photos/ZiTog6xWdiEkoaAP6
3. Note that mesh tool provides approximate results in contrast to triangulation (i.e. mesh surface sometimes may not exactly coincide with nodal points in contrast to triangulation). Of course approximation accuracy depends on mesh cells count.
4. In terms of extension's internal logic "Rebuild" is a command. It is a bit confusing that commands and tools have the same way to be called (through clicking of a button on a toolbar), but this confusion does not affect workflow anyway (I think that's the reason why nobody bothered by such confusion and I'm also totally ok with it). The main reason for rebuild command is to provide ability to restore LSS Arch objects consistency after scaling https://2bb0872e7b57f1db5cfad85eb53deedc0622e9ae.googledrive.com/host/0B...
5. Frankly speaking the main intention of contour object creation was an idea to provide a tool for creation of railings, but it feels like it is possible to try to use it for creation of a more complex linear structures as well.
6. I often need to model site elements like sidewalks, lawns etc, so I needed something to automate this process. I use this functionality of mesh tool extensively myself.

Hello Kirill
Your further comments and links are really very helpful to understanding what your plugin can do---even now. For example, I did not realize how much more there is to the roof tool (slope angles, magnet of walls to roof, etc.), let alone the rest of your tools (thick face, grid, mesh).
What I am excited about though, is to see what 'out of the box' thinking I can bring to the usage your tools to speed up my custom
house design in SU-----once I have my MAC version.......:)
As you yourself say: "it is possible to try to use it [them] for creation of a more complex linear structures as well." This is how I also want to think of your plugin possibilities for my requirements, particularly my sense of their potentially very powerful editing aspect.

Many thanks.
David

PS. Would it be possible to post your small video tutorials (and any others you might have the time to make) on to YOUTUBE so that I can study them with greater care? They are hard to see at the moment.

Hi David,
I hope I will find a time to publish a more hi-res and informative video tutorials on YouTube (I also feel like there is a lack of explanations and usage samples, so I just have to feel that gap).

Hello Kirill
I look forward to more videos on the capabilities of your plugin. These will be enormously helpful.

In the meantime, I have continued to spend time studying the present videos and blogs, to realize, for example that a wall can be 'cut' at any point, a segment can be moved, etc.
It appears you have dealt well with the major requirement we all have to be able to efficiently EDIT a floor plan once initially laid out. Again, this is very good.

All I can add then, is to tell you that I will wait for the MAC version to come out asap....!
With my thanks.
David

I was LSS Arch users, I really like this software.
But I found some problems in the use of software in the process.
1. I will not be used continuously for walls, columns, beams tools, each must return to the toolbar click "DRAW", which makes my drawing will be slower.
2. Custom column has no way to successfully use, the screen will appear in a flat rectangle, not a box.
3. The operation on the object list, Could you please explain, I have no way to understand.
4. Draw a reference line can be selected and the wall? By central, left or right, etc?
5. Can I add an open window to select the type or store custom parameters? This would contribute to draw a lot of doors and windows. Also I would like to ask the way to remove the doors and windows?

Hi Daniel,
Ability to store parameters of an opening tool is now available in a new version (1.4). It is also became possible to use so called "tool presets" for some other complex tools as well (grid, contour, mesh and beam). Thanks for sharing an idea of parameters storing. It helped to improve LSS Arch extension.

Hi Daniel,
Thanks for feedback and questions. Here are the answers:
1. It is possible to set "Start-up tool state" option to "draw" using "Settings" dialog in order to switch tools to "draw" state instantly after tool launching. Or maybe it would be more comfortable to set "Start-up tool state" option to "restore last" (as shown on the following screenshot https://goo.gl/photos/4CoynfGoe42K2vHf8 ). In this case each tool will restore its last state before closing (if tool was used to draw before closing, it will be in "draw" mode instantly after opening).
But while answering to your question I found a bug when "Start-up tool state" option is set to "draw" so nearest update of LSS Arch will be fixed. In the meanwhile I recommend to leave default setting of "Start-up tool state".
2. Try to do the following in order to create a column of a custom shape:
- draw a face, which represents cross section (or profile shape) of a custom column using native SketchUp tools
- select this face and click column tool button on LSS Arch toolbar while face is still selected
- make sure that the height of a column is not equal to 0.
Described steps should allow to create a column of a custom shape.
3. The point is that "List" is not an object it is a command, which allows to generate a list (or report) of selected LSS Arch objects. It is possible to take a look at a small demonstration of this command processing in the following video https://youtu.be/UzrN9Rt2uQM?t=9m54s at 09:54
You can also learn more about "List" command from Help System: http://2bb0872e7b57f1db5cfad85eb53deedc0622e9ae.googledrive.com/host/0Bw...
(Help System is available off-line as well).
4. It is possible to set offset distance of the wall from its axis (or reference line). Note that offset distance can have a negative value as well a shown on the screenshot: https://goo.gl/photos/DxxfSicwTm21To6q9
By default internal surface is aligned with wall's axis (offset equals to 0).
In order to get central alignment of the wall against the axis it is necessary to make offset equal to a half of a wall's width https://goo.gl/photos/rFDiBjKvAuw2A8vD9
In order to align external surface with an axis it is necessary to make offset equal to a full width of a wall https://goo.gl/photos/P9uFmQXoG5Pmuigr5
5. In case if openings should be used within one model, it is possible to read parameters of an opening, which already present in an active model just by picking it while "Opening" tool is active and then immediately clicking "cut..." button. Described steps should allow to cut a new opening, which has exactly the same settings as picked one. But there is no ability to share settings between different models except of copying of object(s) with opening(s) from one model to another and reading of an opening settings as described above.
It is possible to delete an opening by doing the following:
- activate "Opening" tool
- hover cursor over an opening to be deleted
- hit Del key on keyboard
- confirm that you want to delete the opening in appeared message box
Note that it is possible to delete any other LSS Arch object similar way.
Learn more about other common hot keys here: https://2bb0872e7b57f1db5cfad85eb53deedc0622e9ae.googledrive.com/host/0B...

Hi Daniel,
I contacted Extension Warehouse support and the problem is now being tracked by support team.
Note that you can contact Extension Warehouse support directly (without my participation) using the contact form at the following address: http://help.sketchup.com/en/contact/customer-support
Support team may help to solve problems related to licensing, answer invoicing questions etc.

Hi Daniel,
I will contact Extension Warehouse support in order to find out the reason for this situation and reply as soon as I receive the answer.

I also recalled one more tip which may help to apply opening settings faster. It is possible to use "paint settings" tool state: hold Ctrl key while "Opening" tool is active and click on any existing opening in an active model in order to apply settings, which are currently listed within "Opening" tool window to a clicked opening.